enchanted • draco malfoy

Year 6: Christmas Party

Felicity's POV

I sat in between Hermione and my brother and zoned out for most of the Slug Club dinner, idly playing with my food and toying with the hem of my simple ivory dress. Neville nudged me, sending me a questioning glance. I forced a smile and wiped all thoughts of Draco and his task from my mind. 'All good,' I mouthed.

Dessert finally came around, my favorite meal of the day, and I perked up. I devoured the ice cream as soon as it was placed in front of me in the most lady-like way possible. Slughorn spoke up, breaking the awkward silence. "So tell me, Cormac, do you see anything of your uncle Tiberius these days?" he asked the boy to his left. Cormac raised his eyes to Hermione, who looked very uncomfortable, as I stifled my laughter.

"Yes, sir," Cormac responded, "In fact, I'm meant to go hunting with him and the Minister of Magic over the holidays." Slughorn beamed. "Oh, well, be sure to give them both my best," he said cheerily, before addressing Marcus Belby, who was shoveling ice cream into his mouth, leaving it dripping down his chin. I masked my disgust well, although my brother beside me did not. I shared a look with him, hiding my smile.

"And what about your uncle, Belby?" Slughorn inquired, "For those of you who don't know well, Marcus' uncle invented the Wolfsbane Potion. Is he working on anything new?" My thoughts flickered to Remus Lupin involuntarily and I grimaced as I thought of the fast-approaching full moon.

"I don't know," Belby answered, "He and my dad don't get along. Probably 'cause my dad says potions are rubbish." Slughorn disregarded him immediately and turned to Mione. "And what about you, Ms. Granger? What exactly does your family do in the Muggle world?" I tensed up, ready to jump to my best friend's defense, if need be.

"My parents are dentists," Hermione stated. A pair of Slytherin twins across the table stopped eating and glared over at Hermione, and I glared right back. They averted their gaze quickly.

"They attend to people's teeth," Mione continued. Slughorn nodded. "Fascinating," he said, Cormac nodding in agreement, "And is that considered a dangerous profession?" Hermione considered for a moment, fidgeting in her seat, before saying, "No. Although, one boy, Robby Fenwich, did bite my father once. He needed ten stitches." Hermione was saved from further judgement from the obnoxious Slytherin girls when the door opened and Ginny walked in.

"Ah, Ms. Weasley. Come in, come in," Slughorn greeted. I instantly took in her distressed state. I turned to Nev at the same time that Hermione turned to Harry. "Look, her eyes. They've been fighting again. Her and Dean." Neville frowned, murmuring, "I'll talk to Dean, then." I smiled gratefully.

"Sorry, I'm not usually late," Ginny said, her voice somehow strong and shaky at the same time. For no reason at all, Harry suddenly stood up out of his seat. "No matter, just in time for dessert," Slughorn told her, "That is, if Belby has left you any." He chortled at his own joke.

Mione and I both turned to Harry with expertly crafted innocent and curious expressions. "What?" he whispered. I just shook my head. Boys these days.

~*~

Ron sat down the next morning, looking pale and queasy. He had his Keeper's cap on, or whatever it's called, and was drawing attention from other students. He didn't seem to notice, though. "So how was it?" he asked, sounding just a little bit bitter. "How was what?" Hermione asked, brow furrowed. "Your little dinner party," Ron muttered. I rolled my eyes at his resentment.

"Pretty boring, actually," Hermione said. I added, "Harry much enjoyed dessert, though." Harry gave me a dirty look, Hermione smiled a little, and Ginny shot me a questioning glance from where she was clearly eavesdropping on the other side of Harry. I winked.